I found a flyer for the "Youth Against Violence" march and was interested and decided to go. It was to start at 1pm at 170th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue on Saturday, May 18th. As the flyer suggested, I thought this would be a march led by the youth, but instead I learned yet again that nothing is as it seems. There was a small crowd gathered made of mostly adults. I thought it was pathetic, but I decided to stay and keep an open mind. Violence in upper Manhattan is one of the many problems in the area so anyone doing something about this issue affecting so many Blacks and Latinos gets my attention. I was wondering where the youth were, and why it was called "Youth Against Violence"? It could have easily been called "Parents against Youth Violence" or "Politicians against Youth Violence" or "Citizens against Youth Violence", but it seemed ironic bordering on up surd that at a march called "Youth against Violence" that the youth should be absent. I told myself that at least these people care, and you have to start somewhere; nothing is perfect, and people are doing the best they can. I was expecting a strong youth presence and more organization and enthusiasm. I gave myself the old "every little helps" talk. The kids who were there (no doubt came with their parents) were sweet and thoughtful, and I wondered if they would have preferred to be with their friends instead of playing the role of activists. Some of them seemed very shy and dreamy eyed. While the people there ...